NIDA Core "Center of Transformative Science" Grant Program

The NIDA Core "Center of Transformative Science" Grant Program is a forecasted federal funding opportunity issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which operates under the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The opportunity is identified as PAR-27-097 and is associated with Assistance Listing 93.279, Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs. The funding opportunity is intended to support Core Centers that advance transformative scientific research related to substance use, addiction, and HIV. NIDA seeks to encourage large-scale scientific collaboration and innovation through centralized research infrastructure and interdisciplinary coordination. The program emphasizes transformational scientific advancement rather than incremental research improvements. The purpose of the program is to establish Centers that connect investigators who are already supported through NIH or other federal or non-federal funding sources. These Centers are intended to strengthen and expand existing research programs by creating shared scientific environments that facilitate collaboration, resource sharing, and interdisciplinary approaches. NIDA specifically encourages applications that integrate multiple funded projects within an institution around a unified scientific theme relevant to substance use, addiction, and HIV research. Each applicant institution may propose only one Center under this opportunity. Proposed Centers may support a broad range of scientific activities and shared research resources, including specialized laboratory services, imaging capabilities, data infrastructure, or drug chemistry support. The funding announcement states that Centers must provide administrative and scientific support that enhances research productivity and promotes innovation across participating investigators. Shared resources are expected to improve scientific efficiency and create opportunities for collaboration among researchers from different disciplines. NIDA also places strong emphasis on career development and workforce advancement within the scientific community. Centers are expected to provide research opportunities and mentorship experiences for new and early-career investigators. In addition, applicants are encouraged to promote open scientific exchange through the sharing of research findings, data, and other resources that contribute to broader scientific progress. The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary federal grant program within the Health funding category. No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified, and the funding announcement explicitly states that matching funds are not required. The announcement does not provide an award ceiling, award floor, estimated total program funding amount, or expected number of awards at the forecast stage. Likewise, the estimated project period length and specific budget limitations are not yet available. Additional guidance concerning allowable costs, indirect cost limitations, review criteria, application forms, and detailed submission instructions are expected to be included when the full Notice of Funding Opportunity is officially posted. Eligibility for the opportunity is broad and inclusive. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, Native American tribal organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, regional organizations, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, U.S. territories and possessions, federal agencies, and non-domestic entities including foreign institutions. The opportunity therefore supports nationwide participation and allows both domestic and international organizations to apply, provided they align with the program objectives and NIH eligibility standards. The funding opportunity is currently in forecast status. The forecasted posting date is August 18, 2026, and the estimated application due date is September 25, 2026. The estimated award date and project start date are both July 1, 2027. Because the application period has not yet opened as of the analysis date, the opportunity is considered to be in an early engagement stage. No pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent or concept paper is identified in the forecast notice. Applicants are expected to submit applications through the NIH grants process once the official funding opportunity announcement is released. Questions regarding the opportunity may be directed to the NIDA Referral Officer via email at NIDAreferral@mail.nih.gov. The statutory authorities cited for the opportunity are 42 U.S.C. 241 and 42 U.S.C. 284.

Focus on transformative rather than incremental science. Demonstrate strong interdisciplinary collaboration and integration across funded projects. Emphasize shared scientific infrastructure and opportunities for new investigators.